Repatriating a deceased person to Poland is a process that for many families becomes a necessity in the event of the sudden death of a loved one abroad. Although this procedure may seem complicated, its duration depends on several key factors: the course of official formalities, the legal requirements of a given country, and the logistics of the transport itself. It is worth knowing how the entire process works.
The term repatriation of a deceased person from abroad includes all procedures that must be carried out so that the body of the deceased can legally return to Poland. This concerns both obtaining documents confirming the death and its circumstances, as well as arranging transportation — by land or by air. In practice, this procedure requires cooperation between funeral homes, consulates, and local authorities.
In order for the transport to be possible, several essential documents must be obtained. These include:
Some countries require additional certificates and documents, which is why it is advisable to entrust the organization of international body or ashes transport to a specialized funeral company, such as Bongo. This allows both for avoiding errors in paperwork and significantly speeding up the entire process.
The time required to obtain the documents is the most important factor affecting the return of the deceased person to the country. In most European countries, completing the certificates and permits takes between 2 and 7 working days. If the death occurred suddenly — for example as a result of an accident or a crime — this time may be extended by the waiting period for an autopsy and investigative procedures.
In the case of countries outside Europe, the formalities may take significantly longer, especially when legalization of documents is required or when there are major cultural and administrative differences.
The duration of transport depends on the distance, the chosen means of transportation, and the availability of connections. Land transport within Europe typically takes between 12 and 48 hours from the moment the body is collected from the foreign facility. Air transport, although fast, depends on flight schedules and cargo procedures — from the moment the coffin or urn is checked in, it may take from 1 to 3 days.
This means that the journey itself is rarely the longest part of the process. The most time-consuming elements are administrative matters and preparing the body for transport, which again shows how crucial professional handling of the entire procedure by a specialized funeral home truly is.
In most cases — yes. Transporting ashes is significantly less complicated in sanitary terms. An urn does not require special protection, nor is it subject to such strict sanitary regulations. Moreover, obtaining the necessary permits from the consul and the local authorities in Poland is usually faster.
It should also be emphasized that an urn can be transported personally, without the need for specialized transportation. However, regulations in some countries — for example in Germany — do not allow urns to be released to private individuals. The collection of urns with ashes can only be carried out by specialized funeral homes. If local regulations allow private individuals to collect the urn, then after completing the required documentation, the urn may be transported by private car, train, or airplane. In the latter case, it is necessary to check the regulations of individual airlines, as they may vary depending on the carrier.
The procedure of repatriating ashes from abroad usually takes 1–3 days if the documents are ready. For this reason, families increasingly choose cremation abroad to minimize waiting time for their loved one’s return.
Bongo assists families regardless of the distance, comprehensively handling all aspects of repatriating a deceased person’s body or ashes from abroad.
Transport by Country
An independent expert in the funeral industry, author of the blog Celebruj Wspomnienia (“Celebrate Memories”), and editor-in-chief of THANOS magazine — the official publication issued by the World Organization of Funeral Operatives FIAT-IFTA. She has written nearly one hundred articles and conducted dozens of interviews on topics related to trends, marketing, and the sale of funeral services. Katarzyna constantly follows developments in the industry, discovering innovations that transform the way funeral services are perceived. Her unique approach — combining insight, courage, and respect — attracts the attention of both professionals and those outside the field. She collaborates with market leaders, including Grupa KLEPSYDRA S.A.
More and more families, guided by the wishes of the Deceased or by their own convictions, are choosing farewells without religious symbolism. This form of ceremony allows one to focus on the life story, values, and relationships that shaped the everyday life of their loved one.
The death of a loved one is an experience that always comes too soon and requires that, within a short period of time, numerous formalities be completed. This guide was created to help you navigate this process step by step — from documents and organizational decisions to the logistics of the ceremony. With this guidance, preparing for the funeral can proceed more calmly, with the reassurance that every detail has been handled with respect and care.
A funeral, regardless of religion, is an event filled with symbolism and emotion. Although rituals may differ, the common denominator remains respect — for the deceased, their family, and the tradition in which they were raised. It is this respect that forms the foundation of funeral etiquette.
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